My period is 5 days late, what could be the reason?

Sep 16, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Lu

Introduction

In general, if menstruation is delayed by 5 days or more, possible causes may include high levels of mental stress, irregular lifestyle, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hyperprolactinemia, or premature ovarian failure. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, it is important to maintain a regular routine and a balanced diet.

Generally, if menstruation is delayed by five days or more, it may be due to factors such as high mental stress, irregular lifestyle, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hyperprolactinemia, or premature ovarian failure. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. High mental stress: Long-term anxiety and tension can affect the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, leading to hormonal imbalances and delayed menstruation. Stress can be alleviated through listening to music, exercising, and communicating with others. Maintaining emotional stability, avoiding excessive fatigue, and ensuring adequate rest help regulate endocrine function.

2. Irregular lifestyle: Chronic late-night habits and disrupted day-night cycles can disturb the body’s biological clock and interfere with normal hormone secretion, resulting in delayed periods. Adjusting sleep schedules—going to bed and waking up at consistent times each day—and ensuring 7–8 hours of sleep, while minimizing late nights, can help. Additionally, maintaining a balanced diet and avoiding extreme dieting or overeating is important.

3. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Elevated levels of androgens and abnormal follicular development can lead to symptoms such as delayed menstruation or amenorrhea, often accompanied by hirsutism and obesity. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as dydrogesterone tablets, progesterone capsules, or ethinylestradiol/cyproterone acetate tablets to regulate their menstrual cycle.

4. Hyperprolactinemia: Excessively high prolactin levels can suppress ovulation, causing delayed menstruation or even amenorrhea, sometimes accompanied by galactorrhea. Under medical supervision, medications such as bromocriptine mesylate tablets, vitamin B6 tablets, or cabergoline tablets may be used to lower prolactin levels and improve menstrual conditions.

5. Premature ovarian failure: Early decline in ovarian function leads to reduced estrogen production, which can prolong or delay the menstrual cycle and, in severe cases, result in amenorrhea. Patients need to take estrogen-replacement medications such as estradiol valerate tablets, conjugated estrogens tablets, or estradiol/drospirenone tablets under a doctor’s direction to regulate their menstrual cycle.

In daily life, it is important to maintain a regular routine, eat a balanced diet rich in protein and vitamins, avoid prolonged mental stress, engage in moderate physical activity, and strengthen overall health to help maintain a stable menstrual cycle.

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Why does menstruation often get delayed, and what should be done?

In general, frequent menstrual delays may be caused by excessive mental stress, irregular作息 (作息 should be translated as "lifestyle" or "作息 habits" but seems to be used as a term here), endocrine disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine cavity adhesions, or other factors. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through general treatment, medication, or surgical intervention. Daily precautions should include keeping warm to avoid cold exposure, and undergoing regular follow-up examinations of hormone levels or gynecological ultrasound scans.

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What to Eat to Regulate Menstrual Delay

Under normal circumstances, menstrual delay can be improved by consuming foods such as spinach, black soybeans, longan, pumpkin, and brown sugar. Additionally, medications such as progesterone capsules, dydrogesterone tablets, motherwort granules, angelica pills, and traditional Chinese medicines like Wujibai Fengwan (black chicken and silkie egg pill) can be taken under a doctor's guidance for regulation. It is also important to maintain healthy lifestyle habits and a positive mindset in daily life, avoiding late nights, excessive dieting, and reducing mental stress.

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Why is my menstrual period delayed by a month, and what should I do?

In general, the main causes of a one-month menstrual delay include excessive mental stress, extreme dieting, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, and intrauterine adhesions. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation and treatment at a正规 hospital. In daily life, it is important to maintain a regular作息 schedule, avoid excessive fatigue, and maintain a balanced diet.

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Why is my menstrual period delayed by ten days, and what should I do?

In general, a ten-day delay in menstruation may be caused by factors such as excessive mental stress affecting the endocrine system, extreme dieting leading to hormonal imbalances, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hyperprolactinemia, or premature ovarian failure. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to identify the underlying cause and, under a doctor's guidance, improve the condition through general treatments, medication, or other appropriate methods.